Disney Role Development Essay

The Influence of Disney on Childhood Gender Role Development This study intended to observe the behavior of characters in Disney movies in order to examine their potential influence on the development of gender roles in society’s youth. First, we were interested in determining whether or not, Disney products do in fact contain characters that portray gender stereotypical behaviors as has been discovered in previous studies. If we were able to determine that stereotypical gender behaviors are present in Disney tales, then we would like to build off of previous studies. Therefore, next we attempted to analyze whether the characters in these movies have any fluidity in their behavior in that is either gender more likely to cross over and exhibit

Leaper, Breed, Hoffman, and Perlman (2002) reiterates Junn (1997) findings that compared to women, men are overrepresented (Leaper, Breed, Hoffman, & Perlman, 2002). Leaper et al. conducted a time-based structured observational study by evaluating a total of 12 different child target television shows. They selected 3 shows from each of the following categories: traditional adventure, nontraditional adventure, comedy, and educational/family (Leaper et al, 2002). In addition, Leaper et al examined the number of characters in each film while also looking at the amount of time each character exhibited predetermined behaviors (talking fear, negative, physical aggression, victim, romantic, directive, politeness, and support) throughout the show (Leaper et al., 2002). At the conclusion of the study, Leaper et al. reaffirmed that female characters are underrepresented. In addition, however, Leaper et al. found that one genre, traditional adventure (“emphasizing a central male hero”) was more likely to contain gender stereotypical behaviors (Leaper et al., 2002, p. 1655). Ultimately, Leaper et al.’s conclusion can suggest to children that male characters’ overrepresentation in child-targeted media is because men are at the top of the hierarchy and are more important in society than women (Leaper et al.,

Disney owns multiple television networks, is a large producer of box office hits, owns multiple theme parks and resorts across the world, and is a major supplier of children’s toys (Junn, 1997). For these reasons, and because of Disney universality, meaning its popularity worldwide, it has the ability to be globally influential on society’s youth. The potential for gender stereotypes in Disney movies was the reason for this study as it could have significant ramifications in the future (Thompson & Zerbinos, 1997). In an attempt to analyze the potential gender differences in Disney movies, we watched and coded five popular Disney movies, noting the character’s name, gender, and the occurrence of four predetermined behaviors, giving order, aggressive behaviors, performing domestic duties, and primping. Therefore, in the current study on the occurrence of gender stereotypical behavior in Disney tales and based on previous studies by Thompson and Zerbinos (1997), (Junn,1997), and Leaper et al (2002), first, we predicted that male characters would exhibit masculine stereotypical behaviors such as giving orders and being aggressive, more often than feminine stereotypical behaviors and women would display feminine stereotypical behaviors such as performing domestic duties and primping, more often than masculine stereotypical behaviors in Disney movies. Second, we hypothesized that women would have more fluidity in these